Let’s Talk Truth: What’s the Best Way to Sell a House?
Real estate decisions are some of the most significant choices people make, yet they’re often approached with confusion, pressure, or conflicting advice.
Whether you’re thinking about selling, buying, downsizing, or simply trying to understand your options, having clear, unbiased information makes a difference. Real estate help doesn’t have to come with sales tactics or urgency—it should provide clarity, context, and practical guidance that supports informed decisions. A good first step is understanding whether it’s a seller’s or buyer’s market, since market conditions affect pricing and strategy.
This page is designed to help homeowners understand the landscape, explore their choices, and move forward with confidence at their own pace.
Pull up a chair—this one’s worth hearing.
Want to know the best way to sell a house? There’s been a whole lot of noise lately about buyer’s agents and commission lawsuits. It’s all over the news, real estate circles, and social media. And now, a lot of folks are downright determined not to pay a buyer’s agent commission when selling their home.
I get it. It feels like the whole system got turned upside down overnight. So, let’s slow down, grab a cup of coffee, and have a front porch-style conversation about what’s really going on—and how to sell your house smartly in this new landscape. I’m retired from over 30 years in the real estate business and I’ve seen a lot – but this new law is something else.
What’s All This Fuss About Buyer’s Agents?
So here’s the quick scoop: new rules have stirred up big changes in how buyer’s agents get paid. For years, commissions were baked right into the listing agreement—the seller agreed to a percentage, and the listing brokerage split it with the buyer’s agent.
Now, that’s under a microscope. People think, “Why should I pay someone else’s agent?”
But here’s what I found when I dug into the numbers in my own county’s MLS: about 90% of home sales involved a buyer’s agent. Five percent were new construction (bought straight from a builder’s sales rep), and only about five percent were sold directly by the listing agent. That means—yep—buyer’s agents are the ones actually bringing buyers to the table.
So, What Does This Mean for You?
If your goal is to get your house sold (and I assume it is), then the smartest move is to make your house as visible and attractive as possible—and that includes offering a fair commission to the agent who brings you the buyer.
That doesn’t mean you have to hire a full-service listing agent, though. A lot of what they do, you can sell the home without a listing agent yourself—with a little effort and know-how.
“You don’t need a license to be smart. You just need a plan”
What You Can Do Yourself to Save Money
Here’s what most listing agents do—and how you can handle it on your own:
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Pricing: Don’t trust Zillow alone. It’s notoriously inaccurate. Check recent nearby sales, or better yet, pay for a professional appraisal.
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Photos & Video: Hire a real estate photographer. Some offer video and drone packages, which can help on YouTube and social media.
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Marketing: You can post your home on Facebook, Instagram, and even local buy/sell groups. A good yard sign doesn’t hurt either!
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MLS Exposure: This one’s key. You need to get your property on the local MLS so it feeds into Zillow, Realtor.com, Trulia, etc.
👉 There are flat-fee MLS listing services that do this for a few hundred dollars—and you still control the showings.
A Quick Note About Safety
When showing your own home, be sure to:
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Verify the agent before letting anyone in
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Ask for business cards and names
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Keep valuables and medications out of sight
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Track all appointments and visitors
You’re not just selling a house—you’re protecting your home and your family, too. Everyday living plays a huge part in selling your home by owner.
Use the Savings to Incentivize Buyer’s Agents
Instead of paying a full-service listing commission, use that money to offer a competitive buyer’s agent commission. Why? Because it’s the Best Way to Sell a House!
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They’re the ones doing the legwork to bring buyers through your door
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Most buyers are stretched—between down payments, closing costs, and moving expenses, they can’t afford to pay their agent out of pocket
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Offering a commission makes your listing more appealing and more likely to get shown
Let’s Be Real for a Minute
I’m not knocking listing agents. I worked in real estate for over 30 years, and I know firsthand—they’re hardworking professionals. But if you have the time, and you’re comfortable managing the process, there’s no shame in selling your home yourself and keeping more of your equity.
It’s not effortless—but it is doable. Especially if you go in with open eyes, a plan, and a little help from folks like me who’ve walked this road.
Real estate choices don’t have to be rushed or overwhelming. With the right information and a clear understanding of your goals, it’s possible to make decisions that support both financial well-being and quality of life.
Whether you’re gathering information or preparing to take action, real estate help should empower you—not pressure you. Thoughtful planning, patience, and clarity can turn complex decisions into confident next steps.
Final Thoughts: The Best Way to Sell a House
At the end of the day, here’s the truth no one’s saying loud enough:
Most homes are sold because a buyer’s agent shows it to their client.
If you want your home sold—really sold, not just listed—make it easy for agents to bring buyers. Be smart about pricing, get it listed on the MLS, offer a fair commission to cooperating agents, and handle the rest like a pro. I’ve personally written a complete For Sale by Owner Workbook to help you sell the house yourself and save thousands of dollars. It’s work – but worth it when you walk out of that closing office with the money in YOUR pocket.
And if you ever get stuck, or just want a second opinion—I’m here. No pressure. Just good, honest guidance. I welcome your questions or comments.
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